Esteban Cambiasso

[leicesterlad1989]

There first goal konch was the one who let Lallana get in front of him tbf

 

Yeah you are right thinking back. Although between the two of them, they should have done a lot better than they did.

[Alf Bentley]

Cambiasso is looking fitter and more influential with every game - and is clearly thoroughly committed to the cause.

 

A pleasure to watch him - and he's set to be a very important player for us this season.

[LCFCSOULBOY]

Cambiasso is one of our most creative midfielders. At time's he looks on a completely different level to the rest of the team. To pick him out and blame him for goals conceded is mind boggling. Last night two out of the three goals were assisted by Wes Morgan. My only criticism of Wes is that he can't seem to either get his foot through the ball or attack a header, leaving two simple goals. Could this be the midfields fault for not tracking runners? Possibly, but the chances shouldn't have been there in the first place. This is still not Cambiasso's fault!

 

I agree that at times our midfield looks paper thin but how is that Cambiasso's fault? We do need an extra man in midfield in my opinion. The gaps in the midfield start because one of either Cambiasso or James are trying to fill in the hole behind Vardy and Ulloa. This will leave us exposed.

 

I'd add Drinkwater and remove either Schlupp, Vardy or Mahrez. Have James sitting a bit deeper (in my opinion he was poor last night) and allow Drinkwater and Cambiasso to play.

 

Tonight we can blame individuals for errors (yes I'm talking about Morgan) but we cannot blame individuals for how the team is set-up.

Very good post mate.

In my opinion he has been our best player all season up to now. His reading of the game is miles ahead of anyone else right now. I think if we get relegated he will get a few offers from other PL teams to play for another year. Very important player for us at the moment. When he was coming into games in the second half we looked so much different. Were not getting run over any longer in the midfield. Made a big difference. Directs the players on the field also. Shares his experience. Glad we have him.

[Dickov22]

This sort of thing makes me laugh! When Pearson changes the side to suit the game n don't play wingers everyone moans. He puts wingers back in the side & 'goes for it' like everyone wanted and now everyone is saying should have changed the way we play to tackle them! Individual errors are letting us down, individuals not being good enough for the prem!

Pundits on MOTD 2 said exactly what I said on Wednesday night. We need more prescence in the middle of the park. We just never ever get control of a game. Three central mids is the way forward surely. Keep a wide man in the side also, so we don't end up with the dreaded non creative diamond that starved us of any width. Hope we so this on Sunday.

[Guest Col city fan]

Pundits on MOTD 2 said exactly what I said on Wednesday night. We need more prescence in the middle of the park. We just never ever get control of a game. Three central mids is the way forward surely. Keep a wide man in the side also, so we don't end up with the dreaded non creative diamond that starved us of any width. Hope we so this on Sunday.

They did indeed. Exactly that.

Our midfield is not taking control of games.

Didi Hamann is a bloke who usually seems to talk sense and as a fella who certainly could take control of games, I respect his view.

[Manwell Pablo]

Just wasn't the problem Tuesday so bizarre comments. We had 20 shots at goal and 46% of the ball despite having 10 men ffs and they scored with their only three efforts on goal because of three individual errors one of which was suprise suprise following a set piece, we had two in their playing against 3, Steven Gerrard who has over a 100 England Caps, Jordan Henderson a current England international, and Lucas Leiva a current Brazilian international. How is the midfield not doing it's job there if we squander 20 efforts and hand them three goals at the back?

 

When we were playing the Diamond granted we were garbage, If we're going to play 4-4-2 James and Cambaisso are the way forward for me. If we're going to play an out and out flat DMC the closest we've got is Dean Hammond ;-/ and if you think Ulloa is isolated now it will only get 10x worse with no one off him.

[Guest ttfn]

We had 4 in central midfield at Southampton and never had control of that game.

We had 4 in central midfield at home to West Brom and for all our "control" lost to a freak own goal and barely created a chance of note.

We had 3 in midfield at Newcastle and didn't control the game.

We had 3 (plus Nugent at the tip of the diamond) in midfield at Palace and they picked us off comfortably.

We had 2 in midfield against a Sunderland side featuring Lee Cattermole and had a decent grip on the game throughout. Much as when we played at Palace, the side with less possession created by far the better opportunities by exercising control with a proper defensive structure and not making any of the moronic mistakes which have become a feature of our play in the last few games.

The problem is not a lack of control, it's making critical, basic errors that have cost us each of the last 6 goals we've conceded. Meanwhile we've created more than enough chances to win 5 or 6 football matches at the other end over the last 2 games but have been incredibly wasteful (fans' favourites Cambiasso and Vardy included).

[Guest Col city fan]

We had 4 in central midfield at Southampton and never had control of that game.

We had 4 in central midfield at home to West Brom and for all our "control" lost to a freak own goal and barely created a chance of note.

We had 3 in midfield at Newcastle and didn't control the game.

We had 3 (plus Nugent at the tip of the diamond) in midfield at Palace and they picked us off comfortably.

We had 2 in midfield against a Sunderland side featuring Lee Cattermole and had a decent grip on the game throughout. Much as when we played at Palace, the side with less possession created by far the better opportunities by exercising control with a proper defensive structure and not making any of the moronic mistakes which have become a feature of our play in the last few games.

The problem is not a lack of control, it's making critical, basic errors that have cost us each of the last 6 goals we've conceded. Meanwhile we've created more than enough chances to win 5 or 6 football matches at the other end over the last 2 games but have been incredibly wasteful (fans' favourites Cambiasso and Vardy included).

I'm confused..are you saying that we have had control of games or we haven't? You seem to be saying both. And if we haven't and in some games have pplayd four central midfielders then, by definition that implies that they aren't good enough to take such control doesn't it?

I'm not being obtuse here..just a little confused at what your saying?

[filbertway]

To be fair I agree with Col in that we could do with a midfielder who's job it is to sit in front of the defence, the goal from Wes's clearance was a prime example of when such a player would have been handy. Every time an opponent attacks us it feels like a 50/50 flip of a coin whether they will create a chance or we manage to scramble it away. 

 

Against Liverpool their attacks rarely just fizzled out, it was either they got a free kick, had a shot or we managed to scramble it away. I think having a guy sitting a bit deeper would do us no harm whatsoever.

 

This is nothing to do with Cambiasso though who is clearly one of, if not, our most talented midfielder. You'd ideally have someone in there with 2 box to box midfielders, specifically assigned to do the sitting/spoiling job.

 

In a more even game or one you're likely to dominate, you'd have one box to box midfielder and one sitting behind the striker.

[Guest Col city fan]

To be fair I agree with Col in that we could do with a midfielder who's job it is to sit in front of the defence, the goal from Wes's clearance was a prime example of when such a player would have been handy. Every time an opponent attacks us it feels like a 50/50 flip of a coin whether they will create a chance or we manage to scramble it away.

Against Liverpool their attacks rarely just fizzled out, it was either they got a free kick, had a shot or we managed to scramble it away. I think having a guy sitting a bit deeper would do us no harm whatsoever.

This is nothing to do with Cambiasso though who is clearly one of, if not, our most talented midfielder. You'd ideally have someone in there with 2 box to box midfielders, specifically assigned to do the sitting/spoiling job.

In a more even game or one you're likely to dominate, you'd have one box to box midfielder and one sitting behind the striker.

That was my gist of the Cattermole shout (or that type of player). A bloke with that pre-defined role to simply sit and mop up. I'm still not sure what role Cambiasso plays? Is he box-to-box or is he primarily there to defend? I don't know. Has he chipped in with many assists or made many block tackles on opposition shots? Again, I dont know. Some people have suggested only this week that he's 'world class'. Not that he's been world class in the past but that he's world class NOW. Well what exactly is he world class at? Messi is world class because he can dribble, play one two and score amazing amounts of goals. Cristiano is world class because he can score any type of goal from anywhere. What is Cambiasso world class at?

Of course, its nonsense.

One more time, anyone can see he's a gifted player, but what pre defined, exact role is he providing in a team that currently sits bottom of the table, has conceded 24 goals and has scored not many?

If we were mid table, pushing for Europe, I'd get it. I'd get having the flute player piping his tune. But we are at the wrong end of the table without, what i can see, is a drum beater.

[Guest ttfn]

I'm confused..are you saying that we have had control of games or we haven't? You seem to be saying both. And if we haven't and in some games have pplayd four central midfielders then, by definition that implies that they aren't good enough to take such control doesn't it?

I'm not being obtuse here..just a little confused at what your saying?

I'm saying that packing the midfield (Hamann's solution) or having Lee Cattermole (or a similar player, your solution) doesn't give you control of a football match.

There are a variety of other more important factors, notably being able to hold a lead for more than 20 minutes without making a stupid mistake and finishing one-on-ones (Vardy has missed 3 in 2 games and his control let him down for another at QPR).

[filbertway]

That was my gist of the Cattermole shout (or that type of player). A bloke with that pre-defined role to simply sit and mop up. I'm still not sure what role Cambiasso plays? Is he box-to-box or is he primarily there to defend? I don't know. Has he chipped in with many assists or made many block tackles on opposition shots? Again, I dont know. Some people have suggested only this week that he's 'world class'. Not that he's been world class in the past but that he's world class NOW. Well what exactly is he world class at? Messi is world class because he can dribble, play one two and score amazing amounts of goals. Cristiano is world class because he can score any type of goal from anywhere. What is Cambiasso world class at?

Of course, its nonsense.

One more time, anyone can see he's a gifted player, but what pre defined, exact role is he providing in a team that currently sits bottom of the table, has conceded 24 goals and has scored not many?

If we were mid table, pushing for Europe, I'd get it. I'd get having the flute player piping his tune. But we are at the wrong end of the table without, what i can see, is a drum beater.

 

Now he's up to match fitness I think it's clear he's playing a box to box role. I think you're under estimating his influence on the players in close proximity to him during the game. Always encouraging them to play the ball rather than panicking and smashing one as far away from themselves as possible.

 

His reading of the game is world class and his composure, his passing range probably isn't far off as well. Out of interest, if you were to rate his contribution to the team this season along with James, King and Drinkwater, where would he rate for you?

[Manwell Pablo]

To be fair I agree with Col in that we could do with a midfielder who's job it is to sit in front of the defence, the goal from Wes's clearance was a prime example of when such a player would have been handy. Every time an opponent attacks us it feels like a 50/50 flip of a coin whether they will create a chance or we manage to scramble it away. 

 

Against Liverpool their attacks rarely just fizzled out, it was either they got a free kick, had a shot or we managed to scramble it away. I think having a guy sitting a bit deeper would do us no harm whatsoever.

 

This is nothing to do with Cambiasso though who is clearly one of, if not, our most talented midfielder. You'd ideally have someone in there with 2 box to box midfielders, specifically assigned to do the sitting/spoiling job.

 

In a more even game or one you're likely to dominate, you'd have one box to box midfielder and one sitting behind the striker.

 

If the player in question was clairvoyant and knew Wes was going to spaff the ball straight to Gerrard yeah probably. 

[Guest Col city fan]

Now he's up to match fitness I think it's clear he's playing a box to box role. I think you're under estimating his influence on the players in close proximity to him during the game. Always encouraging them to play the ball rather than panicking and smashing one as far away from themselves as possible.

His reading of the game is world class and his composure, his passing range probably isn't far off as well. Out of interest, if you were to rate his contribution to the team this season along with James, King and Drinkwater, where would he rate for you?

I've said before, I think we look a better side with Andy King in it. I think we actually looked a better side at the start of the season when Cambiasso WASN'T in it to be honest. I have no idea what's going on with Drinkwater? He was exceptional last season at times, yet seems a shadow of this now.

James is the one constant, for me. He has the strength and the motor to get forward to attack and to sit in and hold when required.

Currently I'd play James off the back four, with King and Cambiasso in front.

Finally, playing a DM does not stop you from scoring goals. Lennon played as a constant for MON (when fit) yet we scored goals for fun. Then again, that WAS a class side.

[Fez of Mahrez]

We had 4 in central midfield at Southampton and never had control of that game.

We had 4 in central midfield at home to West Brom and for all our "control" lost to a freak own goal and barely created a chance of note.

We had 3 in midfield at Newcastle and didn't control the game.

We had 3 (plus Nugent at the tip of the diamond) in midfield at Palace and they picked us off comfortably.

We had 2 in midfield against a Sunderland side featuring Lee Cattermole and had a decent grip on the game throughout. Much as when we played at Palace, the side with less possession created by far the better opportunities by exercising control with a proper defensive structure and not making any of the moronic mistakes which have become a feature of our play in the last few games.

The problem is not a lack of control, it's making critical, basic errors that have cost us each of the last 6 goals we've conceded. Meanwhile we've created more than enough chances to win 5 or 6 football matches at the other end over the last 2 games but have been incredibly wasteful (fans' favourites Cambiasso and Vardy included).

 

This is exactly right.

 

We're losing games we should be drawing and drawing games we should be winning - on balance of play, not quality of opposition - because of lack of quality and individual errors at both ends of the pitch.

 

We could have control of a game with a defensive midfielder in the side and we could still concede the goal Gerrard scored on Tuesday night. The real problem there was the panic stations at the back that happen whenever the opposition break forward and a poor attempt at a clearance from Morgan.

 

The bottom line is that putting a Lee Cattermole type in your team doesn't automatically prevent that goal and none of our players have demonstrated so far this season that they are trustworthy to the point where you would never see them making a mistake.

[filbertway]

If the player in question was clairvoyant and knew Wes was going to spaff the ball straight to Gerrard yeah probably. 

 

Wouldn't such a player just be in that area anyway though? Not saying they would have stopped it, but I'd say it likely they'd be in and around the area to either nip in, clear or get a block in.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Wouldn't such a player just be in that area anyway though? Not saying they would have stopped it, but I'd say it likely they'd be in and around the area to either nip in, clear or get a block in.

 

But you can't isolate one particular break of a ball and say a player would have been there to do something about it. Anything could have happened in the lead up to that. Liverpool might have had twice as many opportunities in different ways due to the way we had set up to accommodate that particular player.

[Fox Ulike]

We had 4 in central midfield at Southampton and never had control of that game.

We had 4 in central midfield at home to West Brom and for all our "control" lost to a freak own goal and barely created a chance of note.

We had 3 in midfield at Newcastle and didn't control the game.

We had 3 (plus Nugent at the tip of the diamond) in midfield at Palace and they picked us off comfortably.

We had 2 in midfield against a Sunderland side featuring Lee Cattermole and had a decent grip on the game throughout. Much as when we played at Palace, the side with less possession created by far the better opportunities by exercising control with a proper defensive structure and not making any of the moronic mistakes which have become a feature of our play in the last few games.

The problem is not a lack of control, it's making critical, basic errors that have cost us each of the last 6 goals we've conceded. Meanwhile we've created more than enough chances to win 5 or 6 football matches at the other end over the last 2 games but have been incredibly wasteful (fans' favourites Cambiasso and Vardy included).

 

Not sure what the relevance of all this is. We’re not going to control every game.

 

Against Newcastle we were playing 451, with 3 in midfield until the 56^th minute when Pearson brings on two strikers! We then lose to a breakaway goal.

 

I reckon Palace must be the only time this season that we have lost with 3 conventional CMs on the pitch. I’m pretty sure that Stoke and Man United are the only other 2 games were we’ve tried it…

 

It seems to me Pearson completely lost his nerve after the Palace game and threw away a lot of the things that had caused our early season success.

[filbertway]

But you can't isolate one particular break of a ball and say a player would have been there to do something about it. Anything could have happened in the lead up to that. Liverpool might have had twice as many opportunities in different ways due to the way we had set up to accommodate that particular player.

 

They could have. Six goals conceded in 2 games doesn't suggest that the way we're setting up is benefiting us defensively. Until we have a team of players that don't make a ridiculous amount of basic errors per game I don't think it'd do any harm to have an extra body in there to help the defence.

[Manwell Pablo]

Wouldn't such a player just be in that area anyway though? Not saying they would have stopped it, but I'd say it likely they'd be in and around the area to either nip in, clear or get a block in

 

Possibly, he'd more than likely positioned towards the (our) right hand side of the pitch trying to break the play up though so not if he was doing his job properly. To say we should play a defensive midfielder because he may or may not have stopped one isolated incident that shouldn't of occurred as it was a basic defensive area is somewhat of a paper thin (to use one of Col's favorite phrases) argument anyway.

 

As I've said already all 6 are set pieces (whole team is defending anyway) or defensive errors, you can play 8 across midfield if you can't defend proplerly you're in trouble. James and Cambiasso have had three games in there together and I've been reasonably impressed, if we cut out the silly mistakes, learn to defend set pieces, and put our chances away we'll get some points on the board playing like this. 

[Fox Ulike]

But you can't isolate one particular break of a ball and say a player would have been there to do something about it. Anything could have happened in the lead up to that. Liverpool might have had twice as many opportunities in different ways due to the way we had set up to accommodate that particular player.

 

I think that you can.

 

Of the last six goals we've conceded five of them have been relatively simple finishes following a mistake or a touch from our defender or goalkeeper. IE, the area which the goals have been scored have come from just in front of the back four. Basically, the area where a defensive midfielder generally would sit.

 

I find it easy to believe that a DM would have been able to get a foot to one or two of them. That's two points potentially saved.s

 

All speculative I know, but when you're conceding all your goals from the same area, does it not make sense to make sure that you stick one of your own midfielders right in that area to stop this from happening?

[Babylon]

following a mistake or a touch from our defender or goalkeeper.

So we need to play a different formation so that we have a player who can mop up the cock ups of other players... how about we sort the route of the problem ie. the mistakes.

 

Should we have an attacking midfielder following Vardy around so he's there to mop up Vardy's cocked up chances, or should we try and get Vardy to finish his chances?

 

I appreciate what you are saying, but I'm really not sure the route cause of our problems is not having an extra CM .

[Guest ttfn]

Not sure what the relevance of all this is. We’re not going to control every game.

Against Newcastle we were playing 451, with 3 in midfield until the 56^th minute when Pearson brings on two strikers! We then lose to a breakaway goal.

I reckon Palace must be the only time this season that we have lost with 3 conventional CMs on the pitch. I’m pretty sure that Stoke and Man United are the only other 2 games were we’ve tried it…

It seems to me Pearson completely lost his nerve after the Palace game and threw away a lot of the things that had caused our early season success.

Col and Hamann were talking about our problem being not having control of games and that the way to fix it was with more bodies in central midfield (in Col's case, specifically a defensive one).

I don't think that's right and I've explained why. We still had 3 in central midfield for 80 minutes against Newcastle.

[kingfox]

FFS shut up about Lee Cattermole.

[Manwell Pablo]

I think that you can.

 

Of the last six goals we've conceded five of them have been relatively simple finishes following a mistake or a touch from our defender or goalkeeper. IE, the area which the goals have been scored have come from just in front of the back four. Basically, the area where a defensive midfielder generally would sit.

 

I find it easy to believe that a DM would have been able to get a foot to one or two of them. That's two points potentially saved.s

 

All speculative I know, but when you're conceding all your goals from the same area, does it not make sense to make sure that you stick one of your own midfielders right in that area to stop this from happening?

 

Absolute bobbins. 

 

One Morgan OG after De Laet got rinsed, Leroy Fer was about 1.5 yards out not where a DMC would be, Austin converted after another failed Set Piece clearence, Lallana got in front of our full back (Konchesky) after a poor Morgan clearance and Henderson is again half a yard out, They screen the back four nearly all the goalscorers were behind the back four bar the Gerard goal, which is the isolated incident in question. 

So we need to play a different formation so that we have a player who can mop up the cock ups of other players... how about we sort the route of the problem ie. the mistakes.

 

Should we have an attacking midfielder following Vardy around so he's there to mop up Vardy's cocked up chances, or should we try and get Vardy to finish his chances?

 

I appreciate what you are saying, but I'm really not sure the route cause of our problems is not having an extra CM .

 

That'd be far too simple  :xmasunsure:

FFS shut up about Lee Cattermole.

 

Go away.